Posted on 08/10/2008 4:00:28 PM PDT by RedRover
August 10, 2008 | pdf version
Dearest Mitch,
I recently read a tribute to First Lieutenant Andrew Grayson that was written by his uncle after charges were filed against him in the Haditha incident. I shed tears as I read it and I realized that often it is easy to allow words to go unsaid. Especially words that may be sentimental or words that may cause us more emotion than we are comfortable with.
As I pondered the charges that have been made against you and again read the letter by Lieutenant Grayson’s uncle, I asked myself, “why?” I thought of reason upon reason, some realistic and some not so realistic. I came to no conclusion, but I did decide that the time had come to pay tribute to you.
As I began this missive, I reflected upon you and how you came to be the person that you are. I wondered what and who influenced you the most. Was it the many books on history that you read? Was it a movie that you watched? Was it a teacher, or preacher? Was it one of your grandpas, who both served in the military? Was it one of your uncles, who all served? Or, perhaps it was your father who is a retired military man?
Whatever the reason, at some juncture you made the decision to join the military. A man that is willing to put on the uniform of this country and do what is necessary for the right of liberty and the right of freedom for this land. A man that is willing to put his life on the line.
Under the Stars and Stripes many wars have been fought by men such as you. They have been fought by men of valor who believed in the right of democracy. They have been fought by men of courage who answered the call and marched forward into battle. They have been fought by men of conviction who understand that there has been and always will be a price for freedom.
You are such a man. You believe in the American dream, in American values, and most especially you believe in freedom. You have served your country for our freedom to live in domestic tranquility, to pursue happiness, and to worship freely. You have gone the extra mile in keeping America free for American’s to live their American dream, with these freedoms intact for this generation and hopefully the next.
At this point I will refrain from saying much more, but I do feel that I speak for most Americans when I say that freedom is not nor has it ever been free. The price for America’s freedom has been great, and has been purchased by men such as you throughout history. It started with the Revolutionary War and has continued to present day America.
I don’t think a value can be placed on the service that has been rendered to this country by you and others like you. You serve because you chose, and you chose because you are a brave, honorable, devoted, and proud American. You are on your third tour of duty in Iraq, and have given yourself freely to your country for this cause. No, freedom is not free, but it is a precious gift, given by men like you to this nation.
I, for one, am a thankful American, and a proud aunt. My prayers are always with you.
Love,
Aunt Martha
____________________________________
Note from Defend Our Troops:
The family of SSgt Mitch Warner has established a fund. Anyone wishing to donate may send checks, payable to "Warner Defense Fund", to the following address:
Armstrong Bank
1111 W. Broadway
Muskogee, OK 74401
SSgt Warner faces an Article 32 hearing in Iraq on August 15.
There's more at the LINK
Sunday night ping!
Gee, I didn’t want to be the first one to show up to the dance...but I will say this....I don’t like the Article 32 being held on foreign dirt. Bring him home.
Thanks for the ping. I find the saying “no rest for the wicked” sure is true. Fighting them is getting to be a real chore.
I know. Evan was the first person who popped in to my thought bubble....Article 32 in the desert....cowards...bring him home. Quit using them for pleasing the Iraqis.
Would like to see an entire cadre of these sh!+eaters looking for work.
Everyone needs an Aunt Martha.
Look on the bright side. By the time all of this is over they will have pissed off most of the people who make this country what it is. And then the Sh!+eaters will be eating sh!+ cause that will be all that is left for them.
Watch this video by Ben Stein
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j66ydlz5ecM
I’m bleary eyed. Got home from work at 9:20PM, have to be up at 3:30AM to be back at work at 5AM.
I will add a big amen to that, sister lil.
If I would have placed a bet on your post, I would have won.
I think the Iraqis need some festive alcoholic beverages. Or maybe golf courses. They need SOMETHING other than US servicemen on trial for diversion.
Say, the scuttlebutt is there’s a new big case brewing. Going to be at least 12 defendants. It’s moider, as we say in New York.
I totally, totally agree - bring him home!! NOW!!
Some feel that they have a better chance having the Article 32 “over there” because the jury knows more of what they (Warner) were up against with the enemy vs. what the office boys know about Frank’s situation.
I don’t want Iraqi “power” to influence w/politics like they have done before.
W theory lives on.....
Wuterich
Winnick
Weemer
Warner
These two are innocent until proven guilty. It is our job as Americans to help them look for ways to prove their innocense.
That’s one reason that the government is acting very suspiciously in this case. So far the only details of this case are: Behennna and Warner are charge with shooting Mohammed.
Why is the government so tight-lipped? Don’t they want others to understand the background of this case and to start probing it? Are they starting to get fearful of America’s determination to defend its falsely accused troops.
At this point the government’s story is so bare bones that it’s can be summarized as: Behenna and Warner were walking along, saw Mohammed minding his own business, pulled out a pistol, and shot him dead.
That’s ridiculous.
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